James Hibbert Oates, Sr. passed away peacefully on Friday, February 11, 2022, in Gilroy, California. He was 85 years old. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor.

Jim was born in Sacramento on March 18, 1936, to parents Cecil E. and Helen H. Oates. He graduated from Grant Union High School in 1954 and served in the US Army from 1956 to 1958, stationed in southern Germany. After returning home from the Army, he worked at the California Department of Motor Vehicles where he met his future wife, Norma Jean Camp. They were married in September 1958. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a bachelor's degree in 1969 and a master's degree in 1972, both in Mechanical Engineering. He worked at Aerojet Nuclear Systems Company in Sacramento as an Associate Engineer from 1969 to 1972. He worked for General Electric Nuclear Energy in San Jose from 1972 until his retirement in 2010 and was named a Mechanical Design Engineering Fellow in 1995.

Jim maintained contact with a large circle of close friends dating back to his early childhood. His hobbies included hunting, off-road motorcycle riding, classic car and antique tractor repair and restoration, technology, and WWII history. Jim was a Co-Founder and Director of the Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation. He volunteered tirelessly in its mission to transport American veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials honoring their service and the sacrifices of their friends who never made it home.

Jim is survived by his wife Norma; their three children, James Jr., John (Karen), and Julie; three grandchildren, Robert Hirohara, Michael Hirohara and Daniel Oates; sisters Marsha, Marion, and Marjorie; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Harvey Oates. Jim passed away surrounded by his loving family. Donations in his memory can be made to the Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation at https://www.honorflightbayarea.org/home.html .

Funeral Services will be held Friday, February 25, 2022  2:00 P.M. at Habing Family Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, Gilroy.